Cooling-board.



c. E. WINDOM.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

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COOLING BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2 o, 1907.

944,531 Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

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COOLING BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1907.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

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am trauma CHARLES E. WINDOM, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

COOLING-BOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

Application filed July 20, 1907. Serial No. 384,819.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. WINDoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cooling-Boards; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the-letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has reference to cooling boards, and embodies numerous improvements in the construction and operation of a similar device for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 746,223 were issued to me December 8th, 1903. The improvements over said former invention consist largely in a simplicity of construction, whereby the weight and bulk of the device are greatly reduced, and by means of which the process of folding or unfolding the invention can be more quickly and conveniently accomplished. The simplified form of the device, resulting in the above-named advantages, is also produced without any corresponding sacrifice in the rigidity, strength, or effectiveness thereof, but on the contrary some of the parts are rendered more substantial and effective than in the former invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention, when extended ready for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of one of the leg extensions and a portion of the leg in which it is held. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section in the line m00 )f Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, showing the manner of bracing the ribs 22 and 23 at the joint formed thereby. Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive illustrate the device in side elevation, in progressive stages of being folded up. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of the device, when folded, as shown in Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged details, showing the central folding mechanism in open and closed positions the parts 20 and 21 being omitted therefrom for the better display of said mechanism. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail showing the joint in one of the braces 12. Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the action of the plate 24, and appurtenant parts. Fig. 14: shows the manner of folding one of the braces 12, in enlarged detail. Fig. 15 is a detail of one of the canopy supports, partly in section.

Similar characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

In Fig. 1 one side only of the frame is shown, the parts thereof being duplicated on the opposite side of the device, and in referring to the figures wherein such frame is shown inside elevation only one of such parts will be mentioned, such reference being understood to include the corresponding part on the opposite side of the cooling board.

The principal support for the device comprises a frame, formed of a short central rib or plate 1, a pair of intermediate plates 2, and a pair of end plates 3, the plates 2 being knuckle-jointed at their inner ends to the ends of the plate 1 by means of links 4, pivoted at each end to the adjacent ends of the frame, on the inner face thereof. (Fig. 8). The adjoining ends of the plates 2 and 3 are similarly united by links 5, integral with which are boxings 6, in which are secured the upper ends of leg sockets 7, preferably square in cross-section, and provided with telescopic leg extensions 8. To enable such extensions to be held in adjusted positions in said sockets they are provided with spring catches 9, adapted to engage openings 10 in one of the walls of such sockets. Each pair of the leg-sockets 7 is rigidly united by means of a pair of transverse braces 11, and such legs are held against accidental folding by means of folding braces 12. Each of the braces 12 comprises an upper long section, pivoted at its upper end to the frame, and a lower short section, pivoted at its lower end to a plate 13 fixed to the leg socket 7. At the pivotal point of the two sections of the brace the longer member is provided with a lip 14, adapted to engage the upper face of the short section, and limit the downward movement of the brace.

To the inner end of each of the ribs 2 are secured plates 15, provided on their inner edges with segmentally arranged teeth 16, and to the rib l is attached a plate 17, provided at each end with segmentally arranged teeth 18, adapted to mesh with the teeth 16. The plates 15 are also provided with downwardly extending projections 19, between which is supported a bar 20, by

means of short links 21 pivotally attached at one of their ends to the projections 19, and at their other ends to the bar 20.

An auxiliary frame, comprising plates 22 and 23, is pivoted to one of the ribs 2, as at a, the adjacent ends of such plates being united by a link-plate 24, pivoted at its ends to the adjoining ends of the plates. plate 24 is projected downwardly into an arm 25, the lower end of which is adapted to be engaged by a folding brace 26, provided with a recess 27 in which the end of the arm 25 is held. The brace 26 is pivotally secured at its outer ends to the plates 22 and 23.

Pivotally secured to the outer end of the plate 23 is a ratchet-arm 28, the teeth of which are adapted to engage a lug 29 fixed to one of the plates 3, and hold the outer end of the plate 23 in elevated position.

Extending inwardly from the upper edge of the plate 24 is a projection 30, accommodated by a recess 31 in the end of the plate 22, and by a corresponding recess 32 in the end of the plate 2 when the auxiliary frame is in line with the main frame of the device. hen the invention is in extended position the projection 30 is engaged by a lug 33 extending upwardly from one of the links 5. (Figs. 12 and 13.)

The cooling-board proper is supported on the frame hereinbefore described, and comprises a narrow section 34, secured to the frame 1; wide sections 35 and 36 on the plates 2 and 3 at the foot end of the device;

a narrow section 37, adjacent to the section 34; wide sections 38 and 39, secured to the plates 22 and 23, respectively, and a narrow section 40, at the outer end of the plate 3 at the head end of the machine.

Secured to the lower face of the board, at each corner of the device, is a plate 41, to which is pivotally secured a socket 42, in which a rod 43 has telescopic movement, such rod being held in adjusted position in such socket by means of a friction spring 44 fixed in the rod and adapted to impinge the inner wall of the socket. lVhen the device is in use the sockets 42 are supported against the ends of the cooling-board, and the rods 43 are employed as supports for the usual canopy. When not in use, the rods 43 are shortened by being partially telescoped within the sockets 42, and are then swung downwardly and folded against the end plates of the frame, where they may be held from accidental release by means of spring catches 45, attached to the frame or board. Supported in the outer end of the section 39 is a head-rest 46.

hen my invention is not in use, it is capable of being folded into a compact space, as hereinbefore mentioned, one of the processes by which this may be accomplished being illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, in-

The I clusive, Fig. 1 being referred to as the starting point. The ratchet arms 28 are first disengaged from the lugs 29, permitting a lowering of the sections 38 and 39 into horizontal alinement with the other sections of the board. The ratchet-arms are then folded upwardly beneath the sections 39. lVhen the sections 38 and 39 of the board are lowered as just described, they are given an additional support by the plates 2 and 3 immediately beneath the same, and the sections 37 and 38 form practically one section, which is the equivalent of the section 35. The sections 39 and 40 are in like manner the equivalent in length of the section 36. After the inclined sections are lowered the leg extensions 8 are moved upwardly into the leg sockets, reducing the length of such legs to less than the length of the plates 2 or 3. The rods 43 are also telescoped for a portion of their length, and secured in folded position. The end braces 12 are next folded upwardly, permitting the downward folding of the end sections of the board into the position shown in Fig. 5. The inner braces 12 are then folded upwardly, resulting in the folding of the legs 7 and end sections of the board upwardly against the intermediate sections, as shown in Fig. 6. The end sections and intermediate sections are then folded downwardly toward each other until the upper faces of the end sections are in contact in the center of the device, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. By reversing the above-described process the invention can again be extended.

The operation of folding up the device which is herein set forth and shown in the drawings can be varied in a number of ways, the result being the same, however, in each case.

The purpose of the plate 24 and folding brace 26 is to provide a rigid frame for the inclined portion of the board and prevent any downward movement at the joint formed by the plates 22 and 23. In the downward folding of the end section as shown in Fig. 5, the plate 24 is prevented from movement by the lug 33 at the upper end of the leg 7, the brace 26 being at this time partly folded. In the next step of the operation, however, as the leg 7 is folded upwardly the plate is permitted to turn therewith, with the arm 25 extended longitudinally of the folded plates. hen the operation is reversed the plate 24 is first brought into its original position, upon the unfolding of the leg 7, ready to receive the brace 26 when the end section is brought into a horizontal position.

By means of the plates 15 and 17 and engaging teeth thereof the plate 1 and adjacent ends of the plates 2 are prevented from getting out of alinement during the operation of folding or unfolding the device. They also give greater strength to the central part of the device, upon which is the greatest strain.

By means of the projections 19 and bar 20 the jointed portions of the plate 1 and plates 2 are rigidly supported. In the last operation of folding the machine the bar 20 is forced upwardly by the end sections of the board, into the position shown in Fig. 7 When the device is again unfolded the bar is drawn downwardly into its former position.

In case the subject to be operated upon is a child, the end section at the foot end of the device can be left in folded position, if desired, to facilitate the operation.

*vVhen my invention is folded into compact form, it can be made to occupy a space of less than six inches in thickness, and a little more than eighteen inches square. It can thus be easily transported in a case affording that amount of space.

The invention is lighter and more compact than the subject of the former patent hereinbefore referred to, and can also be more easily and quickly folded or unfolded by reason of there being no loose parts to fasten or unfasten.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A cooling board, comprising a central narrow section; two intermediate sections, foldably united with said central section; two end sections, foldably united with said intermediate sections; two pairs of plates, secured to the inner ends of said intermediate sections, and projected downwardly therefrom; a pair of folding braces, pivoted to the lower ends of said plates on opposite sides of the cooling board, so as to support the central joints thereof; and foldable means of support for said board, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class named, comprising a central narrow section; two intermediate sections, foldably united with said central section; two end sections, foldably united with said intermediate sections; a pair of plates, secured to said central section, and provided on their ends with segmental gears; two pairsof plates, projecting downwardly from the inner ends of said intermediate sections, on opposite sides of said central section, and segmentally geared on their inner edges, to engage the gears on said central plates; folding braces, connecti ing said downwardly projecting plates, and adapted to hold said central section in horizontal alinement with the other sections of the board; and foldable means of support for said board, substantially as and for the purpose named.

3. In a cooling board, a frame, formed of a central short plate; intermediate plates, foldably attached to said central plate; end plates, foldably connected with said intermediate plates; at foldable auxiliary frame, pivotally secured to the main frame, and adapted to fold therewith; a plurality of sections, rigidly secured to said main frame; a pair of sections, secured to said auxiliary frame, and forming with said other sections a continuous board; means for rigidly supporting the frame of the device at the central point thereof, when in use; a downwardly folding brace, adapted to support said auxiliary frame at the point of folding thereof, when in use; means for limiting the upward movement of said brace; and foldable means for supporting the device in ex? tended position, substantially as shown and set forth.

4. In a cooling-board, the combination, with a foldable frame therefor, and foldable supporting means for said frame; of an auxiliary frame, comprising a plate 22, pivotally secured to the frame at its inner end; a plate 23, provided at its outer end with means for supporting such frame in adjusted inclined positions; a plate 24, by means of which the plates 22 and 23 are knuckle-jointed to eachother, the plate 24 having a downward projection 25; and a folding brace 26, pivoted at its ends to the plates 22 and 23, and provided with a recess 27, engaging the arm 25 when the plates are in extended position, substantially as shown and for the purpose named.

5. In a cooling board, the combination with a foldable frame and foldable means of supporttherefor, of anauxiliary frame, comprising plates 22 and 23, the inner end of the plate 22 being pivotally attached to said foldable frame; a folding brace 26, secured to the plates 22 and 23, and provided with a recess 27; a plate 24, pivoted to the ends of the plates 22 and 23, and having a downwardly projecting arm 25; and means for moving the plate 24 into a position to permit the engagement of the arm 25 by the recess 27, upon the unfolding of the frame; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signa ture, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. VVINDOM.

\Vitnesses:

F. A. GOULD, W. H. IvERsoN. 

